Click to return to blog homepage.
CALIFORNIA
3:05 p.m.
The California Department of Public Health says as of May 27, there are 101,697 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state. 3,973 people have died. That’s an increase of 89 deaths since May 26. Local health departments have reported 9,647 confirmed positive cases in healthcare workers, with 56 deaths statewide. 1,790,559 tests have been conducted in California.
1:40 p.m.
Click here for helpful tips from the Bureau of Land Management on recreating outdoors safely.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
2:45 p.m.
CASA of Santa Cruz County is in need of volunteers to make sure foster youth have caring adults in their lives. CASA stands for court appointed special advocate. To ensure safety of youth during shelter-in-place orders, these advocates are spending more time with their children virtually. Online information meetings to become a volunteer are coming up. Click here to register.
Upcoming online Informational sessions:
2:05 p.m.
As of May 28, there are 206 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Santa Cruz County residents. That marks an increase of 1 case since the county’s report on May 27. Fatalities remain at two people, 30 have required hospitalization and 137 have recovered from the virus. 7,848 negative tests have been recorded in the county.
12:20 p.m.
Santa Cruz County health officials formed a working group to help educate residents who live in South County about the coronavirus. The group convened before multiple clusters of COVID-19 outbreaks occurred in the area.
Health officials continue to investigate those four clusters of outbreaks in the area. Transmission occurred during family gatherings, with multiple households coming togehter, mainly over Mother’s Day weekend. These outbreaks have contributed to the overall COVID-19 case count in the Watsonville area. As of Tuesday, the county reported 91 confirmed cases in Watsonville, out of 205 cases countywide.
11:20 a.m.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting tomorrow, Friday, May 29, to review the county’s variance to move further into Stage 2 of the state’s roadmap to reopening. Originally, they planned to discuss the variance on June 2, but were able to schedule a special meeting.
Supervisors must approve the variance and the county health officer must sign it before the document is sent to the state. If approved by the state, the application would make Santa Cruz County the first in the Bay Area to receive a variance. County officials expect it will take a few days to hear back.
Friday’s meeting will take place at 9 a.m. at the Santa Cruz County Governmental Building (701 Ocean St). Due to social distancing requirements, seating is limited and participants are strongly encouraged to watch and submit comments online.
MONTEREY COUNTY
9 p.m.
The Monterey County Health Department is currently reporting 469 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Monterey County residents.That marks an increase of 28 cases since the previous report. 55 residents have required hospitalization and 298 have recovered from the virus. Local labs have conducted 9,486 tests.
4:30 p.m.
Monterey County officials say their COVID-19 information page is currently experincing technical issues. KAZU will update case numbers as soon as we know they're correct.
3 p.m.
Hartnell College will honor its graduating class on Friday, May 29 via a virtual ceremony on YouTube. This marks Hartnell’s centennial class with 1,323 students receiving a combined total of 3,020 degrees and certificates.
1:55 p.m.
The Monterey County Business Council and Small Business Development Center will host another webinar this Friday, May 29. Speaks include County Administrative Officer Charles McKee, District 5 Supervisor Mary Adams, and District 2 Supervisor John Phillips. They will give an update on the County’s application to reopen more businesses and activities.
- Webinar: “The County’s Proposal to the State for Reopening Business”
- Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- Link to Register
1:45 p.m.
SPCA Monterey County is hosting another free pet food drive Saturday in Greenfield. It will take place at Patriot Park, 1351 Oak Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pet food is first come, first served. This drive is in addition to the SPCA’s distributions every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at the SPCA from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
1:10 p.m.
A virtual celebration of Monterey’s 250th birthday will take place on Wednesday, June 3, at 12 noon. Several events have been postponed or cancelled because of the pandemic, but an online event will be held. June 3, 1770 is the day Captain Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra landed in Monterey Bay and established the Presidio of Monterey. The celebrations will be broadcast on the city's YouTube channel.
1:05 p.m.
Monterey city staff presented their proposed budget ideas to city council in a working session on Wednesday, May 27. The staff will now take suggestions by the council and present a revised budget at their regular city council meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at 4 p.m. The 2020-21 budget is an ongoing effort by the city to accommodate an $18 million loss in revenue due to the state's shelter-in-place order.
In preparation for Tuesday’s Council meeting, the city is planning a series of virtual town-hall meetings involving businesses, residents and other stakeholders. Those meetings are being planned for Monday, June 1.
12:50 p.m.
This Monday, the California Department of Public Health announced that places of worship can reopen statewide upon approval from county health departments. The Monterey County Health Department is allowing these organizations to reopen for religious services, cultural ceremonies and funerals. Guidance includes having a prevention plan, training, cleaning protocols and physical distaning guidelines. Staff and guests should wear face coverings at all times. Singing is not encouraged because health officials say it dramatically increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Faith-based office workspaces and counseling can also reopen with modifications.
9:40 a.m.
Paid parking is coming back in Monterey. The city suspended enforcement in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning June 1, new citation fees go into effect and paid parking enforcement in lots and on the street resumes June 2. The city says this is essential for managing turnover for businesses who rely on people accessing their businesses.